International Bible Teaching Ministries
Preachers and Evangelists
Question 1: What is the work of a missionary (preacher/evangelist) in a foreign country?
ANSWER: The work of a preacher/evangelist is the same no matter where he may work. To learn about the work of an evangelist, it is recommended that I & II Timothy and Titus be studied diligently. However, generally their work is summed up in II Timothy 4:2, "Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season (this means to preach the Word when it's convenient and when it's not) reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine." Just as the deacon, the evangelist also serves under the oversight of elders.
Question 2: How does one become one of your local preachers here (Africa)?
ANSWER: Before one can preach the gospel of Christ he must first become a Christian after the New Testament order. After having done that, he must worship with a faithful congregation of the Church of Christ and study the Bible diligently to know the work of an evangelist and to know what it is that God wants him to preach. This can be done personally or by association and study with a man who is already a faithful preacher. Although not absolutely necessary, some African men prepare to preach the Gospel by attending the Zambian School of Biblical studies. This would be the recommended approach.
Question 3: What is the difference between a preacher, priest, teacher, elder, and evangelist?
ANSWER: A priest of the New Testament is simply a Christian (I Peter 2:9). Elders are those who have been given the oversight of individual congregations (Acts 20:28; I Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:6-9; I Peter 5:1-4). Teachers are generally thought of as those who teach others in either a semi-formal setting or in a formal classroom group setting. However, all Christians are to be teachers in the broader sense of the term (Hebrews 5:12). There is little difference between an evangelist and a preacher. Paul told Timothy to do the work of an evangelist (II Timothy 2:5); to preach the word (II Timothy 4:2); and to teach (I Timothy 4:11). Therefore, Timothy was all of these things! The term of evangelist today carries with it the idea of one who preaches as he travels from place-to-place. All preachers, elders, teachers, and evangelists must be priests (Christians)! All Christians (priests) are to evangelize by teaching (Matthew 28:18-20)!
It is important to realize that the above terms are not officially assigned titles in which one may glory. They are simply descriptive terms that define the activity in which, at some particular time, a person may be engaged!
Question 4: Where does a preacher preach? Where does a teacher teach? Where does an elder teach?
ANSWER: All preacher, teachers, elders, and, in fact, all Christians are to proclaim the gospel to every creature in all the world (Mark 16:15-16). Wherever, there is an open ear; one-on-one, formally or informally, we all are to teach. This, of course, would not soften those responsibilities individually accepted and committed to the local congregation, especially in the case of elders (I Peter 5:2).
Question 5: Does an evangelist evangelize those already converted, or those yet unreached with the gospel?
ANSWER: Both! Timothy as an evangelist (II Timothy 4:2) was told by Paul to instruct the sinner (those who oppose themselves) that they might acknowledge the truth and recover from the snares of the devil (II Timothy 2:25-26; I Timothy 6:17). He also was told to teach the brethren (I Timothy 4:6).
Question 6: How does one become a preacher?
ANSWER: By having a desire within him that won't permit him to do anything else and by studying and knowing that which God wants him to preach, i.e., the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Mark 16:15-16)!
Question 7: Do you agree that there are many preachers who are afraid to step on people’s toes? Do you agree that there are those in the church who are focused too much on the unknown gods (Acts 17:22-31) of materialism? Do you agree that there are many who have made food their god? How should we eat? For taste or nourishment?
ANSWER: As you state, indeed there are those who claim to be faithful Gospel preachers who do not preach the whole counsel of God because of their fear of “stepping on toes.” Many do so of their own accord, while others fall in weakness to unqualified elderships who, in futile attempts to avoid scriptural controversy, insist, not on balanced preaching, but rather “positive” sermons designed to entertain and tickle the ear! This is, of course, sinful! These men do a disservice to God and the church and will have to deal with the matter in Judgment, if they do not repent.
At the same time, one must not have the attitude that says, “I am going out there to preach in order to step on toes.” Sadly, there is also a group within the brotherhood who has developed such an arrogant philosophy, holding that they, and the particular lectureship circuit they represent, are the final word relative to any issue, whether it be a matter of doctrine or opinion! Most often these, in ungodly attempts to bring dissenters into the party line, are excessively “hard toe-steppers” on some, but just as often, are inconsistently and unscripturally benevolent to those within their own group and circuit! This attitude and approach will also be called into account in Judgment, I believe to the dismay of many.
A faithful Gospel preacher, considering his own weaknesses, will preach all of the Gospel (the whole counsel of God) without allegiance to, fear of, or favor for, any man or group of men (Acts 20:26-27). This he will do, speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) for the Godhead, the church, and the lost souls of men and women! All else is to fail!
As to your comments on Acts 17:22-31: Certainly there are those wayward Christians who are individually worshipping materialism as a god! Very often this is also being done today under the false cloak of spirituality in the church by the erection of “cathedrals, gymnasiums, and overdone family life centers,” while the proclamation of the Gospel, especially in foreign fields, is left to a struggling few! The faithful Christian will be careful in this regard and will set his affections on things above, not on things of this earth (Colossians 3:1-2), realizing that spiritual treasures are eternal (Matthew 6:19-21), but those of this earth are temporary and will one day be destroyed (II Peter 3:10).
As to your question, “How should we eat?” The sense of taste is a blessing that has been given us by our Creator! We also are told that of the food God has provided, we are free to eat, if it is received with thanksgiving (I Timothy 4:1-4). In receiving the food He has provided, taste, nutrition, and quantity are logical and reasonable considerations! Certainly, gluttony is sin and is rightfully associated with such things as greed, avarice, and lust. Paul, in Philippians 3:19, discusses those whose god is their belly! Though the phrase is not restricted simply to gluttony, surely it is included in the principle set forth. Gluttony is a misdirected attempt to gratify an animal-like, seemingly uncontrollable and unlawful passion, to eat all you can as often as you can. Such stands in stark and sinful contrast to the Christian whose body is the Lord’s, in which He is to be glorified (I Corinthians 6:19-20), and in which we are to be temperate in “all” things (I Corinthians 9:25)! Gluttony should be relegated to the hog pen!
Question 8: Is it okay to call a preacher a pastor?
The denominational world has departed from the scriptural pattern for the organization of the church of Christ. They have rejected the divine pattern by assigning the title of "pastor" to the preacher, or the evangelist, thus giving him the rule over the local congregation. First of all, please consider that the word "pastor" is never scripturally applied to the preacher or evangelist. The words preacher and evangelist refer to the same function in the church. In other words, the evangelist is the preacher! Note that Paul told Timothy, in II Timothy 4:2, to "preach the word," and then in II Timothy 4:5, he told him to "do the work of an evangelist." Therefore, they are the same!
The word "pastor" is another word used to describe the work of an elder. It is from the Greek word “poimen,” which means to "tend” or "feed,” or to "take care of." In Acts 20:28, as Paul is talking to the Ephesian elders or overseers, he instructs these to "feed" the church of God. The word "feed" in this passage is also from the Greek word poimen (pastor). What Paul then is saying to these elders is, 'you elders are to "pastor" (feed) the church.' So then, we can see that the elders are the pastors, not the preacher (evangelist). This is, as well, made clear in Ephesians 4:11. Notice that Paul shows a clear difference between evangelists (preachers) and "pastors." Why does he make this distinction? Simply because the word "pastor" in this passage refers to elders, not to preachers (evangelists)!
Nowhere in Scripture do you read of a preacher (erroneously called a "pastor" by the denominations) being head over a congregation. The "rule" of a congregation belongs only to a plurality of elders within the local congregation (Hebrews 13:7,17; I Peter 5:1-4). The "rule" of a congregation, then, was not assigned to the preacher. He, as all others in the local congregation, is to be under the "rule" of the elders, and is to be obedient to them within the guidelines of God's Word!
As well, we must be very careful in not using any religious title that would elevate us above our brethren in light of Matthew 23. Words such as elder, deacon, preacher, etc. are used only to define the work that each does. For example, I am an elder or pastor (not a preacher) in the Lord's church. That word (elder/pastor) defines what I do, not what I am to be called religiously. The improper use of such titles has caused the development of two classes of people in the denominations; the higher class, called the clergy and the lower class, called the laity of which the Scriptures know nothing, Such must never occur in the church of Christ, since we all are to be simply and equally "brethren".